Kushner-Kelly divide deepens over security clearance overhaul
7 years, 1 month ago

Kushner-Kelly divide deepens over security clearance overhaul

CNN  

Washington CNN — White House chief of staff John Kelly has been locked in an internal struggle with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner over his access to highly classified information for weeks now, a confrontation that has escalated amid a recent policy overhaul and the resignation of a staff secretary who was accused of spousal abuse. Multiple White House officials have said the complications with Kushner’s security clearance have only exacerbated his frustration with Kelly, who has privately disregarded Kushner and Ivanka Trump as unserious and meddling. Since becoming chief of staff, Kelly has sought to limit Kushner’s portfolio while also dismissing Ivanka Trump’s agenda, once referring to her child tax credit as “a pet project.” One White House official speculated that the security clearance restriction could also serve as a way for Kelly to limit Kushner’s access to the President, because he would be restricted from attending certain briefings or participating in sensitive conversations. After questions were raised whether the new clearance policy would affect Kushner, Kelly issued a statement saying he had “full confidence in ability to continue performing his duties in his foreign policy portfolio including overseeing our Israeli-Palestinian peace effort and serving as an integral part of our relationship with Mexico.” “Everyone in the White House is grateful for these valuable contributions to furthering the President’s agenda,” Kelly said.

Access Trump White House White House Kelly Porter Kushner Ivanka Trump Staff Jared Security Clearance Security Clearances Highly Classified Information His Access  kushnerkelly  deepens  house  security  clearance  trump  divide  white  staff  kushner  access  kushners  kelly  overhaul

History of this topic

Democrats want Trump to reveal who he's giving security clearances to without background checks
2 months ago

Democrats want Trump to reveal who he's giving security clearances to without background checks

Salon  

In the flurry of President Donald Trump’s first two weeks in office, the new administration ordered that an unknown number of people be granted immediate access to top secret classified information. He also notes Trump's decision to give 25 individuals security clearance despite “concerns about ties to foreign influence, conflicts of interest, questionable or criminal conduct, financial problems, or drug …

Jared Kushner alleges ex-White House chief of staff ‘shoved’ Ivanka Trump out of the way
2 years, 8 months ago

Jared Kushner alleges ex-White House chief of staff ‘shoved’ Ivanka Trump out of the way

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jared Kushner alleges in a new memoir that former White …

Jared Kushner provided 'helpful' details to the Jan. 6 committee, a panel member says
3 years ago

Jared Kushner provided 'helpful' details to the Jan. 6 committee, a panel member says

NPR  

Jared Kushner provided 'helpful' details to the Jan. 6 committee, a panel member says Enlarge this image toggle caption Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images Former President Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner provided "helpful" information to the Democratic-led House panel investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a member of the panel said. Kushner, …

Jared Kushner identified as White House security risk: report
5 years, 11 months ago

Jared Kushner identified as White House security risk: report

Salon  

Jared Kushner, the son-in-law to President Donald Trump, has been identified as the senior White House official whose security clearance was rejected by career officials but was granted access to top secret information anyway. For example, in the case of one senior White House official, Ms. Newbold explained that both she and the first-line adjudicator issued denials after the background …

Jared Kushner identified as the White House official who was denied security clearance
5 years, 11 months ago

Jared Kushner identified as the White House official who was denied security clearance

LA Times  

Washington Post The senior White House official whose security clearance was denied last year because of concerns about foreign influence, private business interests and personal conduct is presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, according to people familiar with documents and testimony provided to the House Oversight Committee. Kushner was identified only as “Senior White House Official 1” in committee documents released this …

Kushner dismisses concerns over White House security clearance process: "A lot of crazy accusations"
5 years, 11 months ago

Kushner dismisses concerns over White House security clearance process: "A lot of crazy accusations"

Salon  

Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump and one of his senior advisers, dismissed concerns raised by a whistleblower about the White House's security clearance process, saying the president's administration has faced "a lot of crazy accusations" since Trump took office two years ago. Kushner, a presidential adviser, sat for a rare interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham …

Trump team overruled 25 clearance denials, official says
5 years, 11 months ago

Trump team overruled 25 clearance denials, official says

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A career official in the White House security office says dozens of people in President Donald Trump’s administration were granted security clearances despite “disqualifying issues” in their backgrounds, including concerns about foreign influence, drug use and criminal conduct. The documents, which are based on Newbold’s March 23 private committee interview, don’t identify the officials on the list but …

Reports Donald Trump demanded security clearance for family 'very concerning'
6 years ago

Reports Donald Trump demanded security clearance for family 'very concerning'

ABC  

Former acting director of the FBI, Andrew McCabe, says he is very concerned about reports United States President Donald Trump demanded top-secret security clearance for his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, despite advice to the contrary from officials. Key points: Andrew McCabe is concerned about reports Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were given top security clearance Mr McCabe …

Donald and Ivanka Trump 'repeatedly gave false statements about Jared Kushner’s security clearance'
6 years ago

Donald and Ivanka Trump 'repeatedly gave false statements about Jared Kushner’s security clearance'

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ivanka Trump and the president appear to have lied about …

Trump overruled White House officials to grant Jared Kushner a top-secret security clearance: report
6 years ago

Trump overruled White House officials to grant Jared Kushner a top-secret security clearance: report

Salon  

On Thursday, The New York Times reported that in 2018, after intelligence officials flagged problems in President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner’s top-secret security clearance application, the president personally ordered the clearance be approved — and that multiple White House officials wrote memos expressing their concern with Trump’s disregard for protocol: Mr. Trump’s decision in May so troubled senior administration …

Jared Kushner 'granted top-level security clearance against advice of White House specialists'
6 years, 2 months ago

Jared Kushner 'granted top-level security clearance against advice of White House specialists'

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jared Kushner obtained a top-level security clearance to work in …

Jared Kushner has a security clearance — but only because Trump appointee overruled experts
6 years, 2 months ago

Jared Kushner has a security clearance — but only because Trump appointee overruled experts

Salon  

President Trump's top adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was originally denied a security clearance by career officials after an FBI background check raised red flags. Carl Kline, a former Pentagon official who was appointed to head the personnel security office in the Executive Office of the President in May 2017, overruled career officials on Kushner’s clearance -- and also in …

House Democrats investigate White House security clearances
6 years, 2 months ago

House Democrats investigate White House security clearances

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A powerful House committee now led by Democrats is opening an investigation into how security clearances have been handled in President Donald Trump’s White House and 2016 presidential transition. The inquiry by the House Oversight and Reform Committee, announced Wednesday, takes direct aim at some of those closest to the president over the past two years, including former …

Democrats investigate White House security clearances of Jared Kushner, Michael Flynn and other Trump associates
6 years, 2 months ago

Democrats investigate White House security clearances of Jared Kushner, Michael Flynn and other Trump associates

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have launched an investigation …

From David Bossie to Jared Kushner: Who could replace John Kelly as White House chief of staff
6 years, 3 months ago

From David Bossie to Jared Kushner: Who could replace John Kelly as White House chief of staff

Salon  

John Kelly, President Donald Trump's chief of staff, is expected to exit the White House at the end of the year – a mere 16 months after he first started the coveted job at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Kelly, the retired four-star Marine general who replaced Trump's first chief of staff, the former RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, was said to have …

Kushner given security clearance after background check
6 years, 10 months ago

Kushner given security clearance after background check

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been granted a security clearance after a lengthy background check, a move that ensures the key White House adviser with a broad international portfolio can have access to some of the country’s most closely held secrets. “With respect to the news about his permanent security clearance, as we stated before, his …

AP source: Jared Kushner granted security clearance
6 years, 10 months ago

AP source: Jared Kushner granted security clearance

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been granted a security clearance after a lengthy background check, a move that ensures the key White House adviser with a broad international portfolio can have access to some of the country’s most closely held secrets. “With respect to the news about his permanent security clearance, as we stated before, his …

Trump's personal assistant couldn't get a security clearance, so he joined the Trump campaign
7 years ago

Trump's personal assistant couldn't get a security clearance, so he joined the Trump campaign

Salon  

President Donald Trump's personal assistant lost his job in the White House on Monday due to issues trying to obtain a security clearance. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal: President Donald Trump’s personal assistant, John McEntee, was fired and escorted from the White House on Monday after being denied a security clearance over financial problems in his …

Roles reduced, Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s fate uncertain
7 years ago

Roles reduced, Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s fate uncertain

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — They spent their first year in Washington as an untouchable White House power couple, commanding expansive portfolios, outlasting rivals and enjoying unmatched access to the president. A week ago, Kushner’s security clearance level was downgraded, leaving White House aides to wonder just how many indignities Kushner and Ivanka Trump are willing to suffer. But one White House official …

White House admits that Donald Trump administration's early handling of classified information not up to required standard
7 years ago

White House admits that Donald Trump administration's early handling of classified information not up to required standard

Firstpost  

Washington: White House chief of staff John Kelly, on Friday, admitted that the Trump administration’s early handling of classified information and gatekeeping of sensitive secrets was not up to snuff. “In terms of the handling of classified material”, he said the White House “wasn’t up to the standards that I’d been used to.” “Nothing illegal,” he added. “But, it wasn’t …

Kelly says White House handling of classified material ‘wasn’t up to the standards’ he was used to
7 years ago

Kelly says White House handling of classified material ‘wasn’t up to the standards’ he was used to

CNN  

Washington CNN — White House chief of staff John Kelly told reporters on Friday that the White House’s handling of classified material “wasn’t up to the standards” he had previously seen in his governmental career. During an impromptu meeting with reporters after President Donald Trump had departed for the weekend, Kelly explained the security clearance process for White House officials. …

Jared and Ivanka are in a 'death match' with John Kelly
7 years, 1 month ago

Jared and Ivanka are in a 'death match' with John Kelly

Daily Mail  

The conflict between White House chief of staff John Kelly and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump has has morphed into a pitched battle that only one side can win. The conflict between White House chief of staff John Kelly and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump has has morphed into a pitched battle …

Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner loses top-level security clearance; officials insist his role will not be impacted
7 years, 1 month ago

Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner loses top-level security clearance; officials insist his role will not be impacted

Firstpost  

Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior aide Jared Kushner has lost his top-level security clearance, sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday Washington: Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior aide Jared Kushner has lost his top-level security clearance, sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, a decision with potentially profound implications for the US administration. Still, Kushner’s loss of access …

Jared Kushner lost his security clearance, but that's not the most troubling news
7 years, 1 month ago

Jared Kushner lost his security clearance, but that's not the most troubling news

Salon  

New reports have revealed that Jared Kushner's numerous business-related conflicts of interest with foreign countries may be undermining him, while hampering his security clearance issues. Most notable among them was Kushner's meeting with the chairman of the Chinese company Anbang Insurance Group, which may or may not have contributed to an initial decision from Anbang to invest $400 million in …

Jared Kushner just joined a really big club
7 years, 1 month ago

Jared Kushner just joined a really big club

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Peter Bergen is CNN’s national security analyst, a vice president at New America and a professor of practice at Arizona State University. He is the author of “United States of Jihad: Investigating America’s Homegrown Terrorists.” CNN — Jared Kushner just joined a really big club: the more than 3.6 million Americans with “secret” security clearances. To operate effectively …

Jared Kushner’s fall from Secretary of Everything to
7 years, 1 month ago

Jared Kushner’s fall from Secretary of Everything to

CNN  

Washington CNN — In the earliest days of the Trump White House, it seemed there wasn’t a job Jared Kushner didn’t do. This paragraph from the Post story is particularly striking: “Within the White House, Kushner’s lack of government experience and his business debt were seen from the beginning of his tenure as potential points of leverage that foreign governments …

Jared Kushner’s problems are only just beginning (opinion)
7 years, 1 month ago

Jared Kushner’s problems are only just beginning (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Jen Psaki, a CNN political commentator, was the White House communications director and State Department spokeswoman during the Obama administration. Despite the claim by both White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Kushner’s lawyer that “the new clearance policy will not affect Mr. Kushner’s ability to continue to do the very important work he has been assigned …

Jared Kushner loses classified security clearance: report
7 years, 1 month ago

Jared Kushner loses classified security clearance: report

Associated Press  

Jared Kushner has reportedly had his access to secret material downgraded as the result of a White House review of security procedures. Citing “three people with knowledge of the situation,” Politico reported that people with interim security clearances were told Friday that their status would be reduced to “Secret.” His former “Top Secret / sensitive compartmentalized information” status gave Mr. …

Jared Kushner loses access to top-secret intelligence as his security clearance gets downgraded: report
7 years, 1 month ago

Jared Kushner loses access to top-secret intelligence as his security clearance gets downgraded: report

Raw Story  

White House senior advisor Jared Kushner had his security clearance downgraded from Top Secret to Secret, Politico reported Tuesday. Chief of Staff John Kelly had allowed President Donald Trump's son-in-law to view Top Secret/SCI-level classified information despite working on an interim security clearance. Abbe Lowell, Kushner's defense attorney, said the changes would “not affect Mr. Kushner’s ability to continue to …

Kushner’s security downgrade will hinder but not halt his Mideast peace role
7 years, 1 month ago

Kushner’s security downgrade will hinder but not halt his Mideast peace role

CNN  

Washington CNN — The United States’ efforts to broker an elusive peace to end the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict are now being led by a White House official who has been stripped of his access to top secret information. White House chief of staff John Kelly also says Kushner will be able to perform the task, saying he has “full confidence …

Officials from four countries discussed exploiting Jared Kushner
7 years, 1 month ago

Officials from four countries discussed exploiting Jared Kushner

CNN  

Washington CNN — Officials from at least four countries have discussed ways they could use Jared Kushner’s intricate business arrangements, lack of experience and financial woes to manipulate President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior White House adviser, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. CNN reported earlier on Tuesday that Kushner has been stripped of his access to the nation’s top secrets …

Reports: Kushner Security Clearance Downgraded Following White House Scandal
7 years, 1 month ago

Reports: Kushner Security Clearance Downgraded Following White House Scandal

NPR  

Reports: Kushner Security Clearance Downgraded Following White House Scandal Enlarge this image toggle caption Drew Angerer/Getty Images Drew Angerer/Getty Images Updated at 6:17 p.m. ET President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has lost the top-level security clearance he has been using on an interim basis to do his work inside the White House, according to reports on Tuesday. As General Kelly …

Jared Kushner loses access to top-secret intelligence as background check remains incomplete
7 years, 1 month ago

Jared Kushner loses access to top-secret intelligence as background check remains incomplete

LA Times  

President Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, has lost access to top-secret information after his security clearance was downgraded along with that of dozens of other White House aides whose background checks had yet to be completed, according to a person familiar with the process. “I will not comment on anybody’s specific security clearance situation or go beyond the …

Kushner security clearance is downgraded
7 years, 1 month ago

Kushner security clearance is downgraded

CNN  

CNN — Jared Kushner, who has worn dueling hats for more than a year as President Donald Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, has been stripped of his access to the nation’s top secrets, officials said Tuesday after his security clearance was downgraded. Kushner, along with other White House officials who had been operating on interim clearances, had their access altered …

Jared Kushner loses "Top Secret" security clearance: report
7 years, 1 month ago

Jared Kushner loses "Top Secret" security clearance: report

Salon  

There is still hope that the rampant nepotism that characterizes the Trump White House may yet be contained. Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, is one of many White House aides to have his security clearance downgraded, according to Politico. The downgraded security clearance level will restrict access to highly classified intelligence, in contrast to the access Kushner enjoyed …

Chief of Staff Kelly to decide on Kushner’s security clearance
7 years, 1 month ago

Chief of Staff Kelly to decide on Kushner’s security clearance

The Hindu  

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will leave it to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly to settle a security clearance dispute involving son-in-law and top aide Jared Kushner, but left little doubt he wants the case settled in a way that allows Mr. Kushner to keep his job. Mr. Kelly a week ago set Friday …

WH trying to keep Kushner involved on sensitive issues without Trump's intervention
7 years, 1 month ago

WH trying to keep Kushner involved on sensitive issues without Trump's intervention

CNN  

Officials at the White House have been working to devise a plan this week that would allow Jared Kushner to continue in his role handling sensitive foreign policy matters without forcing President Donald Trump to personally intervene and grant him access to classified information, people familiar with the situation say. The scramble came after chief of staff John Kelly issued …

Trump: Kelly to decide Kushner security clearance
7 years, 1 month ago

Trump: Kelly to decide Kushner security clearance

CNN  

CNN — President Donald Trump said Friday he will not decide himself whether to allow Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, to keep his temporary security clearance, telling reporters at the White House he’ll leave the matter to his chief of staff John Kelly. Two weeks ago, White House counsel Donald McGahn and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein discussed the status of …

Sources: Mueller probe stymies Kushner security clearance
7 years, 1 month ago

Sources: Mueller probe stymies Kushner security clearance

CNN  

Washington CNN — Jared Kushner has been unable to obtain a full security clearance in part because of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Kelly memo Prompted by the latest scandal engulfing the West Wing – domestic abuse allegations against a senior White House aide with a yearlong top-level interim security clearance – …

White House says new security clearance policy will not affect Kushner’s work
7 years, 1 month ago

White House says new security clearance policy will not affect Kushner’s work

CNN  

Washington CNN — White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said chief of staff John Kelly’s new security clearance directive will not affect Jared Kushner’s work as a top White House staffer. Sanders declined on Tuesday to get into Kushner’s clearance status but said “nothing that has taken place will affect the valuable work Jared is doing.” Kelly said in a …

NYT: Kushner is pushing back on giving up his access to classified info
7 years, 1 month ago

NYT: Kushner is pushing back on giving up his access to classified info

CNN  

CNN — White House officials Jared Kushner and John Kelly are privately feuding over Kushner’s access to classified information despite having only an interim security clearance, according to a report in The New York Times. Kushner’s security clearance has provided the senior White House adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump with highly classified information – including the Presidential Daily …

Chief Of Staff Kelly Wants New White House Security Clearance Rules
7 years, 1 month ago

Chief Of Staff Kelly Wants New White House Security Clearance Rules

NPR  

Chief Of Staff Kelly Wants New White House Security Clearance Rules Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP Updated at 8:05 p.m. ET Chief of staff John Kelly on Friday called for an overhaul of White House security clearance standards, following criticism that a top aide was allowed to remain on the job despite allegations of domestic abuse. …

Kelly issues memo changing security clearance process in wake of Porter scandal
7 years, 1 month ago

Kelly issues memo changing security clearance process in wake of Porter scandal

CNN  

Washington CNN — White House chief of staff John Kelly, under fire over the White House’s handling of domestic abuse allegations against a senior aide, ordered an overhaul of the security clearance process for current and incoming top administration officials. In a five-page memo to the White House counsel, national security adviser and deputy chief of staff for operations, Kelly …

Trump's White House has a big security problem: Jared Kushner
7 years, 1 month ago

Trump's White House has a big security problem: Jared Kushner

Salon  

From the very beginning of Donald Trump’s administration, it was evident that the new president had no regard for bureaucratic norms. While Porter was professionally qualified for his role as White House staff secretary, he never received official security clearance from the FBI to perform his official duties. Squelching the details about who has interim clearance and why makes a …

Ivanka and Jared want Kelly gone because he 'diminishes their power' over Trump: GOP strategist
7 years, 1 month ago

Ivanka and Jared want Kelly gone because he 'diminishes their power' over Trump: GOP strategist

Raw Story  

Republican strategist Rick Tyler told MSNBC's Alex Witt he believed Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are behind efforts to oust White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. "Well, look, John Kelly has an extremely difficult job," Tyler answered. "You know, the comment that Rick said about Ivanka and Jared being the ones that may be, first of all, increasing their …

John Kelly's job is in jeopardy after defending disgraced aide: report
7 years, 1 month ago

John Kelly's job is in jeopardy after defending disgraced aide: report

Salon  

It certainly sounds like the White House's sole defense of John Kelly's actions, protecting his top aide, relies on feigning ignorance. President Trump's chief of staff, the White House said on Thursday, lacked the necessary photographic evidence of abuse to fire Rob Porter so he allowed the now-former aide to stay in his job without a security clearance for over …

Jared Kushner 'increasingly marginalised within Trump White House'
7 years, 4 months ago

Jared Kushner 'increasingly marginalised within Trump White House'

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy At a senior staff …

Does Jared Kushner deserve a security clearance? (opinion)
7 years, 8 months ago

Does Jared Kushner deserve a security clearance? (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Jill Filipovic is a journalist based in New York and Nairobi, Kenya, and the author of the new book “The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness.” Follow her on Twitter. Story highlights Jared Kushner updated his security clearance questionnaire for the third time since he first submitted in January Jill Filipovic: His memory lapses make him seem a …

Trump may have to decide on Jared's security clearance
7 years, 8 months ago

Trump may have to decide on Jared's security clearance

Daily Mail  

The final word on Jared Kushner's security clearance will reside with his father in law President Donald Trump, even as Democrats line up to call for its revocation following Kushner's failure to disclose his Russia contacts. Lawmakers are challenging his security clearance in light of his failure to initially disclose Russia contacts Lawmakers have been questioning Kushner's security clearance for …

Discover Related